Racing game apparatus



March 17, 1953 P. J. HAYNEs ET AL RACING GAME: APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed June 9, 195o lazinzmgni /3 /m f/s A INVENTORS.

PHILLIP Hams RAY HAYNES -JoHN fm1/NES BY SMOM THEIR ATTORNEY March 17,1953 P, J. HAYNEs ET Al. 2,631,853

RACING GAME APPARATUS Filed Jne 9, 195o 3 sheets-sheet 2 PHILLIP Hm/wssRAY HAYNES JOHN 11m/NES BY om@ ATIL/fm ATTORNEY March 17, 1953 P. J.HAYNES ET AL 2,631,853

RACING GAME APPARATUS Filed June 9, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToRs. /47 Z E PHILLIP .I fm1/NES RHY HHYNEIS' JOHN HHYNE'IS' BY TD/D THEIRATTORNEY Patented Mar. 17, 1953 VRACING GAME APPARATUS Phillip J.HaynesyRay Haynes, and John Haynes, Detroit, Mich.

Application June 9, 1950, Serial No. 167,004

A Claims. (Cl. 273-86) Our invention pertains to amusement devices whichAare in the nature of contests of skill and judgment and moreparticularly to miniature automobile racing apparatus, track andaccessories therefor.

`It is an object of our invention to provide a miniature automobile racetrack whereupon miniature automobiles are individually controlled torace competitively similarly to the control of automobiles upon anactual race track.

It is also an object of our invention to provide a miniature automobilerace track which can be operated as a competitive contest between aplurality of operators each of whom controls one of theracingautomobiles through Va system which rewards skill andpenalizes lack ofskill.

It is a further object of our invention to pro- Vide such aminiature'automobile race track in which the swerve or skiddng of anautomobile, as it rounds a curve at excessivespeed, is utilized topenalize the driver of that automobile.

Another object of our invention is to provide improved Aelectrical meansfor energizing, and for controlling and operating electrically drivenminiature automobiles on such a miniature race track.

' The invention may be more readily understood, along with additionalobjects and advantages thereof, by reading the following specificationin conjunction 'with the appended drawings, wherein similar referencecharacters are applied to corresponding elements in the diiierentviews,and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the miniature race track adapted for twoautomobiles, although more than twoV may be provided for if desired;

Fig. 2 is a iront elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 vis an enlarged sectional View Von line 3 3 on Fig. 1;.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view, still further enlarged, showing theintermediate insulating brushl carrierand brushes removed from thedepending pick-up;

Fig.- 5 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 6 is an elevational viewshowing the depending bushingl alone, theother elements being removed;

Fig, y7 isa plan view of the guide wheel removedfrom the dependingbushing;

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the power pick-up brush and the skid brakewhich are carried and iirmly attached on the lower end of the bushing ofthe depending control device;

Fig. `9 is a fragmentary enlarged View through the front en'd of one ofthe automobiles, indicated approximately by line 9 9 on Fig. 3, forVshowing the attachment and connection of the Vdel pending pick-up andskid control thereon, and the body being omitted;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line ID-I on Fig. l;

Fig. y11 is an enlarged front elevationalview showing the indexingswitch;

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view thereof, as fom line I2-I2 on Fig.11';

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view on line Fig. 14 is a diagrammaticview schematically representing the electrical system of connections andapparatus for one automobile.

Referring more specically toFigs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, itwill beseen that we have illustrativel-y disclosed an embodiment ofourfminiature automobile race track eld I wherein narrow slots 3 areprovided of any suitable form, such as oval shapes, to represent therace tracks to be followed by miniature automobiles 5, and serving otherpurposes to be subsequently described. .'Iheupper surface of thesurrounding portions of the iield l may be ornamented in any desiredlfashion, as-represented by rthediago`nal" checkered shade lines.Adjacent the front edge of theiield I, speed controllers 'I areprovided, one for each automobile. One of these speed'. controlthrottles 'I is manually adjusted by each individual operator to attainthe greatest possible speed from his automobile. Excessive speed will Lcause a racer to go intoa swerve or skid on the curves and the driver isthereby penalized ina manner to be subsequently described in detail.

An instrument panel -9 is provided which rises from the rear edge oftheeld I for supporting some of the control apparatus, and alsoholding aplurality of timing and indicating devices in a position to be easilyviewed by the operators and any spectators, who wish to attend theraces. On this panel 8 behind each speed controller 1 are a Start sign II which indicates when the race v starts, a plurality ofserially-numbered signs I3 showing Laps Remaining, for each individualautomobile, and a Finish sign I5 which indicates when the correspondingcar has finished the race. These -signs may be controlled in a simplemanner by providing a small electric lamp bulb adjacent i each sign forilluminating signs individually as the lamps are energized, either byshining vupon or through these signs, in a manner well known and commonwith indicating signs. The manner in which such lamps may be providedand controlled will be explained later.

A timer I3 is provided for indicating the total elapsed time for eachautomobile, and it is also mounted in a conspicuous position on thepanel generally to the rear of the corresponding car controller. Thistimer may be a well known electric clock device and it is preferably ofthe kind commonly known as a reset timer provided for measuring a fewseconds at a time, as in photographic dark rooms and many other places.It is reset by briefly energizing an electromagnet and its connectionand control in this system will be described in detail subsequently.

As Fig. 13 shows, the lap indicating signs 3 may be convenientlyprovided as a sign bearing strip whereupon the lap designating numeralsare marked in a side-by-side relation. The strip is of a translucentmaterial, and by merely mounting a small individual incandescentelectric lamp bulb I9 behind the strip, enclosed in a suitablypartitioned housing 20 these numerals can be eifectively displayed bymerely energizing the corresponding lamps, in a well known manner.Automatic means is provided whereby these lamps are energized to displaythe proper numerals in response to the operation of the correspondingautomobile, so that the human element is entirely eliminated and therecannot be any controversy or misunderstandings about counting the lapscompleted and remaining. While such illuminated signs are desirablebecause of being simple, bright and attractive, it is to be understoodthat other types of electric or electromagnetic signals or annunciatorsmay be utilized, if desired.

As Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 9 show, the miniature racing automobiles comprise abody 2| conformed to resemble a conventional racer and carried by wheels22 which are secured on the opposite ends of axle shafts 23 extendingfrom opposite sides of the body wherein these shafts are rotativelydisposed, in suitable side frame members 24 seen in Fig. 9. The body 2|may be made of plastic composition, or any other suitable material, andmay rest down upon and around the frame pieces 24 and 35, as representedby dotted lines in Fig. 9.

A small electric motor 25 provides the power source in each racer and itdrives one axle shaft 23 of the car through any suitable transmission,which may consist of a worm 2 on the motor shaft for driving a wormwheel 29 on an axle shaft, as represented by dotted lines in Fig. 3.

Each miniature racer 5 is provided with a depending guide controller andpower pick-up device, shown in greater detail in Figs. 3 through 9,including a guiding pin 3| which extends down from the automobile topass freely along in the race track guide slot 3. The upper part of thisguide pin is bent and has the upper end turned laterally forming alocking pin 33 for convenient releasable attachment to the front end ofthe car frame, as shown in Fig. 9, where it will be seen that a socketblock 35 is secured, as by metal fusion, to the front frame cross bar37, and it receives locking pin 33 to be clamped into a hole by turningdown a screw 33. A vertical recess 4| in the front side receives andholds the guiding pin 3| in a rigid vertical position through the narrowguide slot 3 in the neld l. Below the race track field l and its guideslot 3, the guide pin 3| is provided with a tubular bushing 43 having aslot 45 at the lower end for resting upon the lower bent end 41 of thepin, which extends laterally through the slot. The upper end of thebushing 43 is provided with a head iiange 43 and a portion 50 of largediameter whereupon a guide wheel 5| is rotatively carried on the upperportion of the bushing adjacent to the head flange. This wheel is alsoshown in plan view in Fig. 7.

A power pick-up which is disposed intermediately upon the bushing, shownin Figs. 3 through 9, consists of a carrier 53 made of any suitableinsulation material and pivotally disposed on the bushing, a spacer 54holding it up in a proper position. Secured to and projecting fromopposite sides of this carrier are two resilient electrical pick-upbrushes or contactors 55 and 51. These brushes are made of goodconductive resilient metal, such as Phosphor bronze, or any othersuitable metal, and the outer ends are curved or curled to provide asmooth sliding shoe for sliding along in good contact with twoenergizing rails 59 and 6| during the operation of the automobile. InFig. 5 the arrow designates the direction of forward movement.

Electrical connection is continued from the intermediate brush 55 acrossthe carrier through a suitable conductor 63 soldered to a sleeve 64,

and then through the bushing 43, by way of the guide pin 3| through themounting socket block 35 and by way of frame pieces 3l and 24, intooneside of the motor 25, which is grounded to its frame for this purpose.From the other intermediate brush 5l, a suitable conductor 65 connectsto a pin 3l mounted in upright position on the rear end of theinsulating carrier. From the upper end of this pin 61 a flexible wire 33extends up to a spring clip il mounted and insulated on the frame. Fromthis clip a wire 'i3 extends into the insulated side of the motor. Theseelectrical connections are also diagrammatically represented in Fig. 14.The sleeve 64 also permits relative rotation of the pin 3| so that thebrushes 55 and 5l remain on the energizing rails 59 and 6| even when thecar skids or swerves.

On the lower end of the bushing 43 a resilient pick-up brush i5 ismounted, in direct conductive relation, as by metal fusion, and itprojects laterally for engaging a laterally disposed power rail 11 undernormal conditions, and energizing connection to the motor continues upguide pin 3|,

lock 35, and frame pieces 3l and 24, as previously traced from brush 55.But when rounding a curve at excessive speed the centrifugal forcecauses the rear end of the automobile to swerve or skid outwardly, andthen this laterally extended pickup brush 15 is turned away form itslaterallydisposed rail Ti, as represented by its dotted line position inFig. 8 and also in the left-hand portion of Fig. 14. This causes tneelectric motor to be deenergized and the automobile slows down, or comesto a stop. A difficult operation must then be performed by the driver ofthis car to resume operation.

Normal running connections are through this lowermost laterallyprojecting pick-up brush l5 in contact with its laterally disposed railand the intermediate brush 5i in contact with its rail 6I. Theelectrical motor is energized and its speed is controlled by means of aspeed control rheostat or throttle vl, as previously mentioned. As Fig.l0 shows, this electrical rheostat is a rather conventional constructionhaving an electrical resistor 8| curved around in cooperative relationto a centrally pivoted contact arm `83 so that this arm wipes over theresistor and connects more or less of the resistance into the controlcircuit. The outer end of this arm 83 may project out through a slot 85in the outer casing 86 and be provided with a knob 81 for convenientmanipulation. We also provide this rheostat with an extra resilientcontact finger 88 sacaste mounted sothatiit-may aiso'befcontsetedbytiieswinging partof the Contact arm-BBin-oneparticular position. Fromintermediate rail -59 a wire 89 connects to this contact nger 88.Awhichmay be termed askid pull-out Contact. From lower rail 11la wi're '90connects to the centerrof the rotary contact-arm83 ofthe rheostat, a'sby way of its central pivot or shaft 9|. fEomone'end of thefrheos't'atresistor -`8I 4vt wir'e93 connects to one terminal of thelowvoltagesecondary -95 -of a step-clown transformer T, Y-aridfror'n'ftheother terminal of this 'windinga wire 91 connects to the otherpower-rail 6|. vThe casing'8'6 of Vthis rheostat `may be attached 'tothe yfrorit edge of the race traokleld` in any suitable manner, 4as bybolts 9 8.V l u A In 'this arrangement. it will be apparent "that theVslowest lspeed Vof 'the controlled automobile Will be btai'ned'byturnirigthe 'rheostat'arm'l83 toward vthe l position which -outs invtheresistance of thelresi'stor. 'Asls'hovvh in- Fig,`14,lin full lines,this'is toward the left. Turning'the-'contact 'arm 83 up and towardthe-right, asrepresented at dotted line 'position A cuts lout'resistance `'and provides high speed, `If the racer goes finto a skidand swings around this nterruptsthe connection between lowernos't fpick-upbrush 15 and its rail 11, because lofthe-'laterally disposedpositions of these linenibers, and-thss'lowsor rstops the'racer.

Now to start up'hls cai' theoperatorfmust turn this contact arm 83 Vtothe left-hand side tothe dotted line Ds'ltiOnB Vso it ltolilflesthe-resilient contact'iing'er 88. 'I hisnow 'energizes the motor throughwire 89, rail 59 andbrush 55 and up'to the grounded 'si'de'ofltheJn'iotor vas previously traced.

But this is a slowV speed position Vas a considerable amountof theresistance-of vthe 'resistor 8| is cut into the circuit inthis'positio'n. 'It isthen to the advantage of the-operator to get hisautomobile out of its skidded position so that its normal runningconnections will be restored. Thisrequires Apaitic'zular skillaccrdingto the position of thel car- As theauto'mobile straight ens out 'Contactis resumed-between 'brush 15 land rail 11 and then *the 'speed `throttleT'can be turned to a higher-'speedpositiomandtheoperator c'a-n'try tomakef-upf-for lost time. `:Very

much in thefmanner of alieal autom'obile'race,

theresuits-fare' determined'lby' thelgoc'c judgment and skillof theoperators- When `"released, vthe ailn 83- s'm'ved toit/'He 104W speedp'sitonby a spring 92.

To make the operation 'still morerealistidlthe lower bent end 41of thefollowerpin`3I, which supports the lowerendof--the bushingd-S, isals'oprovided with a skid brake shoe? IUI which may be a bent piece Yofsheetmetal secured, as by soldering-"it directly thereto. rThis brakeshoe IDI projects to a rearward position andis free during normaloperation. ut when"theracergoesinto alskid and its rear'end "swerveslaround, this turns the-brake'shoe IUI-to-en'gage against a stationarybraking'surface, whichr'nay-bethe sideoi" the tunnel under the Iheld.This l'also Alimits the degree of skid of the automobile.

A 'curved actuator shoe "I |521l is secured :rigidly upon the bottom 'ofthe guide pin A3| and bushing 43 for'actuating lap:countingapparatusyina' manner to be described.

Therese track "heid lmay bemade of prywood, plastic 'sheetforfothermaterial, `a'nd'sup'- ported upon: a' base |U3w1"r`ich rnayfbe "made 'ofwood, plastic oi other vmaterial.

'This base is provided 'as "shown in Fig. i3, with recesses for' tunnels|05 which extend around accuratelyicentered under Vthe race track slots3 provided in the eld I, and which are substantially 'Wider'. Thesetunnels vare YIliade of suitable Yaccurate widths and the side wallsserve for mounting the power Y"rails and as braking surfaces to beengaged by the brake shoe I0| when the autonibilegoes into -a skid. Tosecure all parts of theraoing `field I iin 'an accurately fspacedrigidrelation any desired number of 'cross-braces |06 are seciiredthereunder, las shown by dotted Alines in Fig. 1.` Y

For automatically counting the laps as, each car passesits nish line,each ra'ce track is .pro-'- vided with a-sensitive 'switch or pushbutton device U1,"supported by a bracket |09 in a suitable position Vatthe Vbottom of the tunnel to be depressed by the actuator |92, as shown`in Figs. 3 and v9. --In combination therewith an indexing switch isutilized for 'controlling'theslap in'- dicating signs or signals I3mounted on the panel 9ro'f the race track eld, as shownin Fig. 2,1`andaspreviously described.

The `indexing switch, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, comprises anelectrical Contact arm ||3 having one end secured upon a shaft H5, as bya key |I1, so that it rotates with the shaft'to swing its free endaround a circular orbit. This end vof the shaft is threaded to receive anut |'I6 for holding the contact arm thereon. The shaft passesrotatively through a bushing |I8vin the. Y

centeroi a panel IIS of insulation material `and it preferably is ofsubstantially a disc shape having a diameter about equal Itov thediameter lof thel circle described by the outer swinging' end of thecontact arm. The outer end of this contact arm I I3 is shaped to form asmoothly curved cam |2| and it extends to a length suitable for engaginga series of resilient outer contacts |23 which are mounted at spacedpositions around the periphery of the panel disc. Each such outercontact is made of a thin strip of suitably resilient metal and mountingis easily accomplished by providing a laterally bent mounting tab |25 onone end of each such contact for snug attachment, as by screws |21 showndotted in Fig. 11,

on'the side 'of the panel remote from the armr and so that each suchcontact extends across the periphery of the panel disc projecting itsfree end into the path of the swinging end of the Contact arm II'3. -Asthe rotating contact arm comes tov the position of each such outercontact I 23, it completes a circuit by establishing electrical contacttherewith. At the same time, the rotating arm, by reason of its shape,smoothly presses the adjacent outer contact outwardly, and this alsomoves the outer contact away from an inner contact |29, for breaking acircuit established between these two contacts at all other times. Theseinner contacts |29 are mounted in the periphery of the disc shapedpanel, one under each outer contact to be engaged thereby as it springsinwardly.

For i actuating the contact arm II3 stepeby-v step into engagement witheach of the outer contacts |23successively, a suitableratchet wheel |3|is secured, as by a key |32, on the'end of the shaft I5 remoteirom thearm. Freely rotatable fon the shaft H5 is one endof airatchet arm v|33lhaving a pawl |35 loosely'pivotingon a pin |31 on the arm so that theother end of' ratchetarm |33 to turn the contact arm |I'3, a solenoid|39 is provided ,having an armature plunger I4| loosely connected by apivot pin |42 to a loop |43 extending around the extended end of theratchet arm. By' making the stroke of this plunger of suitable length,and by mounting the solenoid |39 a proper distance from the shaft, theratchet arm is lifted a proper distance to move the contact arm I 3 tooccupy the position in contact with the next successive outer contact|23 each time it is operated. A shield |45 is provided for protectingthe electrical connections which are soldered to and extend from thecontact tabs |25 on the adjacent side of the panel ||9. This shield maybe a simple disc of insulation material centrally apertured to iitloosely upon the bushing I i8 and held by a central projection in spacedrelation to these electrical connections.

The indexing switch may be enclosed in a suitable protective casing |41which also serves for mounting the solenoid and the panel of this switchin suitable cooperative relation, and which also serves for mounting theentire device on the back of the instrument panel 9. A mounting bracket|43 extends through the space between the ratchet wheel 13| and theshield |45 and it is apertured for snugly receiving the adjacent end ofthe bushing I i8 wherein the switch shaft I I rotates. The ends of thisbracket may be turned to form mounting lugs secured to the walls of theouter casing |41, Aas by screws |53,

for mounting the indexing switch therein. From this mounting bracket acontact bracket |52 ex tends around adjacent the center oi the oppositeside of the switch, where it supports an insulated contact brush |54continuously engaging the rotating contact arm IIB, on its inner end |56which is curled back across the end of its shaft |I5 providing aresilient contact in alignment with the axis -oi rotation, for thispurpose. The solenoid |39 is supported at a proper position on the 'backwall of the casing by a clamp band |58 secured thereto by screws |89.

As Fig. 14 shows, the lap counting solenoid |39 of the indexing switchis energized in series with the sensitive switch |91 which is actuatedeach time the automobile completes a circuit around its track. This isaccomplished by an energizing circuit which may be traced through. awire |49 extending from one side LI of the usual Service line to oneterminal of the solenoid |39, a wire |5| extending from the otherterminal of the solenoid to one terminal of the sensitive switch Ili'land another conductor |53 extending to the other service line conductorL2.

Also, as shown in Fig. 14, the full service line voltage is alsoutilized for energizing all the lap counting sign lighting lamps |53,the start light Il, the nish light l5 and the timer I6. Signs II and I5may be distinctive colored lamps. This is Aaccomplished by extending `aconductor |59 from service line L2 to one side of each of these lights,and to the timer. From the other line conductor LI a conductor ISI isconnected to the rotating contact arm H3 of the indexing circuit makerand breaker. From the other side of the highest lap number lamp I9 awire |93 is connected to vone of the outer contacts |23, and from thisouter contact an inner connection |65 extends to the inner contact |29of the next pair of contacts in the direction of rotation. As may beseen, a similar inner connection is provided from every outer contact tothe inner contact of the next pair of contacts which con- 8 trols a lapindicating lamp. The lap number 6 lamp I9 is connected by a conductor|69 tothe nextv successive outer contact |23 on the indexing switch, andconductors I'II, |13, |15, |11 and |19 establish similar connectionsfrom the lap indicating lamps I9 to the outer contacts |23 of theindexing switch in the successive order in which these are engaged by'the rotating contact arm |.'3 of the indexing switch, which rotatescounterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 14. The start light II is connectedin parallel with the lap number 1 lamp I9 by means of a conductor |5Iextending from its other terminal, so that it shows at the same time.Also the timer I6 is connected in parallel by a conductor |83.

As shown in full lines, the Contact arm II3 is in position A, thestarting position, where it engaged the outer contact |23 whichdirectlyenergizes the conductor |63 to the lap indicating lamp I9 whichis at the right in Fig. 14. This displays the largest lap number, i. e.,7 in this example, as shown, at the same time, this outer contact ispressed outwardly, as represented in full lines, but this does not openany circuit as the adjacent inner contact |29 is not connected into thesystem.

At the same time all the other lap number indicating lamps i9 areenergized. This is accomplished through the inner connections |65 of theswitch, as all the other outer contacts are resting in contact with theadjacent inner conacts.

rom one side of the Finish lamp I5 a conductor |35 connects to the liveconductor |59, and from the other side of this lamp I5, a conductor |81connects to the loWermost outer contact |23 on the indexing switch, s-othat when the rotating contact arm H3 reaches this last position, showndotted and designated H, the Finish lamp will flash.

It is to be understood that although seven lap number indicating lampshave been shown for counting and indicating seven laps around the racetrack, any number may easily be provided for, by merely addingsufficient contacts for the indexing switch and connections as required.

Operation begins when the rotary contact arm of the indexing switchmoves to the full line position A in Fig. 14, and through thecorresponding outer contact |23 all the lap indicating lamps I9 wereenergized. These circuits are readily traced by Way of the contacts andconnections as previously described, since al1 the succeeding pairs ofouter and inner contacts are closed and the energizing connections arecomplete. Also the Start lamp I and the' timer I6 being connected inparallel with the last or number 1 lap indicating lamp I9, are energizedat the same instant and remain energized therewith. As the correspondingminiature automobile completes its rst lap, the sensitive switch |01 isactuated to provide van energizing impulse for the solenoid |39. Thisactuates the step-by-step mechanism of the indexing switch and moves thecontact arm |I3 of the switch to the next positioncoun-4 ter-clockwise,designated B and shown dotted, in Fig. 14. This presses the adjacentouter contact |23 away from its inner contact to deenergize the lapindicating lamp I9 which displays the number 7 on the lap indicatingpanel, asl there are no longer seven laps remaining.

Upon completing each successive lap the racing automobile similarlycauses the contact arm II3 of the indexing switch to move to anotherstep in a counter-clockwise direction, as indcated by` the arrow, asviewed in Fig. 14, thus turning oif the lap indicating numbers 6, on theLaps Remaining sign, until the last lap indicating number 1 is turnedoff when the Start lamp is turned o and the timer I6 is stopped. Thecontact arm I| 3 is then in the lowermost position represented in dottedlines at I-I, and the Finish lamp is flashed. The timerV resetelectromagnet is energized byl merely operating a switch |9|, which maybe a convenient push button, for completing a circuit through conductors|93 to the timer I6, thence by conductor |95 to switch |9| and throughcone ductor |91, from the low voltage winding of transformer T.

The total time which elapsed from the instant the' automobile startedthe race on this track until it iashed across the finish line of thelast lap is thus accurately measured and positively displayed, so thatthe human factor is eliminated. It will be seen that the race isconducted in-a very realistic manner and that the nal result isdetermined by the skill and good judgment of the drivers in operatingtheir respective racing automobiles.

The racing automobiles and the depending pick-up assemblies are readilyremoved, replaced or repaired, because of the convenient manner in whichthese pick-ups are removed from each automobile by merely releasing thelocking screw in the front end socket block, as previously described.

Although the race track iield is shown as adapted to accommodate onlytwo racing automobiles, it can readily be provided with a greater numberof race track grooves, controls and indicating apparatus, as will bereadily understood.

It is apparent that within the scope of the invention modications anddifferent arrangements may be made other than herein disclosed, and thepresent disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehendingvariations thereof.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. In miniature automobile racing apparatus the combination of, aminiature automobile race track eld having open guide grooves defining aplurality of curved racing tracks in a side-byside relation forcompetitively racing a corresponding plurality of miniature automobiles,two electrical automobile energizing power rails disposed laterally ineach of said grooves for normally energizing a corresponding electricautomobile to run around the groove by engagement with laterallyprojecting pick-up brushes for the automobile, individual speed controlrheostats mounted in convenient spaced positions one for each racetrack, an electrical power source, electrical conductors connecting saidrheostats to energize said power rails from said source to impart speedsto each individual automobile as desired by the respective operatorsthereof, a skid power rail in each groove for energizing thecorresponding automobile when it goes into a Skid and moves a, normalpick-up brush away from one or the normal power rails, a skid pull-outcontact disposed at a slow speed position on each rheostat forengagement at a slow speed operating position, and electrical conductorsconnecting from each skid power rail to the skid pull-out contact oneach rheostat so that the operator of a skidded automobile will have tocarefully return his speed control rheostat to a certain slow speedposition to engage said skid pull-out Contact and hold such a slow speedcontrol position until the car resumes proper position and operation.

2. In miniature automobile racing apparatus the combination of, aminiature automobile race track field having open guide grooves dening aplurality of curved racing tracks in a side-byside relation forlcompetitively racing a corresponding number of miniature automobleatwoelectrical automobile energizing power rails substantially parallel toeach of said grooves for normally energizing a corresponding electricautomobile to run around the groove, an individual speed controlrheostat for each track, anelectrical power source, electricalconductors con,- necting the individual rheostats to energize said powerrails from said source to impart speeds to each individual automobile asdesired by the operator of each such automobile, a skid pickyup railsubstantially parallel to each groove for eriergizing the correspondingautomobile when it goes into a skid and moves away from one fthe powerrails, a skid pull-out contact on each rheostat for engagement at a slowspeed operating position, electrical conductors connecting lfrom eachskid pick-up rail to a point on each rheostat so that the operator of askidded automobile will have to carefully return his speed con trolrheostat toa slow speed position to engage said skid pull-.out contactbefore he can resume the race, an electrical power driven miniatureautomobile disposed in cooperative combination adjacent each track guidegroove, a depending pick-up projecting down from each automobile intoits guide groove and having three brushes in normal running engagementwith Vall three corresponding power rails but one of said brushes beingmovable away from its power rail when excessive speed of thecorresponding automobile causes it to go into a skid and the operatormust perform the difficult aforesaid manipulation of the correspondingrheostat to resume operation.

3. Miniature automobile racing apparatus in accordance with claim 2 andthe depending pickup of each automobile having a skid brake which tendsto engage adjacent stationary structure in the groove to limit theskidded position of a skidding automobile, and to retard the speedthereof.

4. In miniature automobile racing apparatus the combination of, aminiature automobile race track field having open guide grooves dening aplurality of curved racing tracks in a side-by-side relation forcompetitively racing a corresponding number of miniature automobiles,two electrical automobile energizing power rails disposed latorally ineach of said grooves for normally energizing a corresponding electricautomobile to run around the groove, an individual speed controlrheostat for each track, an electrical power source, electricalconductors connecting the individual rheostats to energize said twolaterally disposed power rails from said source to normally impartspeeds to each individual automobile as desired by the operator of eachsuch automobile, a skid pick-up power rail substantially parallel toeach groove for supplying energizing current to the correspondingautomobile when it goes into a skid and moves a laterally disposedpick-up brush away from one of said laterally disposed power rails, askid pull-out contact on each rheostat for engagement at a slow speedoperating position, electrical conductors connecting each skid pick-uprail to the skid pull-out contact on the corresponding rheostat so thatthe operator of a skidded automobile will have to carefully return hisspeed control rheostat to a slow speed position to engage said contactin disposed in cooperative combination adjacent each Ytrack guidegroove, each automobile compris- `ing 'an automobile frame structure,four wheels projecting rotatively from said frame structure for carryingit about a race track, a guide and pick-up device secured to said frameand projecting down for cooperative disposal in a respective one of theguide grooves in the racing eld for guiding the miniature automobileabout the corresponding race track thereon, said guide and pick-up beingsecured adjacent the front end of said frame so that centrifugal forcewill cause the rear end of the miniature automobile to skid or swerveoutwardly when driving at an excessive speed around a curve, and saidguide and pick-up having three brushes disposed for normal runningengagement with the three corresponding power rails respectively but oneof the normal running brushes extending in a xed lateral relation fromthe automobile to be movable away from its laterally disposed power railwhen excessive speed of the corresponding automobile causes it to goUinto a skid or swerve so that the operator must perform the diicultaforesaid manipulation of 'moving the corresponding rheostat to engagesaid 12 jacent stationary structure in the groove to limit the skiddedposition of a skidding automobile, and retard the speed thereof.

PHILLIP J. HAYNES. 5 RAYI-IAYNES.

JOHN HAYNES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 10 iileof this patent:

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